Club Ties (14 page)

She didn’t see the scrawny bitch, but her gaze did fall on the pixie that had turned the bartender’s head earlier. She seemed to have taken up a permanent perch at the end of the bar, and Sambo was leaning over the counter, deep in conversation with her.

Watching the pair piqued her curiosity. She hadn’t had much of a chance to match up Mox’s intimidating club brothers with the women who had helped her and Ginny set up house. The girls had seemed nice and normal, if she could label them that. It would be interesting to see who they belonged to, so to speak.

Scanning the sea of faces, she spotted the pretty redhead with the twin teenage daughters that had helped. The girls had their mother’s fiery auburn hair and long legs. Rocco would’ve loved them. Eva shivered and tried to come up with the woman’s name as she watched her skirt through the crowd. The simple pendant hanging between her breasts finally supplied the clue, Amber. Eva smiled. It was such a pretty name, and then they had named the girls Autumn and Addison. 

Eva giggled and had to rethink attributing the twin’s height to Amber when she stopped next to Mox’s boss, Bowie, and handed him a beer. She should’ve guessed. It was titian-top, freckles, and green eyes all around in that family.

Bowie was shooting pool with a hard looking man. It seemed strange to say that with the crowd they were in, but a silent menace seemed to roll off the guy. He was of average height, looking almost short next to his club brother’s six-foot-ten or so. His skin was deeply bronzed by the sun; his dark eyes seemed narrowed in a perpetual suspicious glare. Tattoos covered every visible inch of skin, which was quite a bit as he wore only the club vest on his upper body. An ornate font scrawled TAZ across his impossible six-pack, and snarling likenesses of the Looney Tunes character decorated each ripped bicep. They seemed out of place, and all the scarier for it, like a serial killer that dressed as a clown.

He turned to a woman seated on a nearby stool and retrieved his beer. Tamara was dressed in a scarlet scrap of silk that somehow managed to cover the important bases and looked amazing with her olive complexion. She was dangerous curves personified. Her long sable hair was highlighted with streaks of honey-blonde, and her makeup emphasized her dark eyes and full lips. She had been in low slung fatigue pants on move-in day and had been shaking her bootie with Kat to the music, making all the men hoot and holler.

Taz brushed the back of his fingers over the swell of her breasts and leaned down for a passionate kiss. Tamara certainly didn’t look afraid of the intense biker as she stroked his bare chest in return. The women seemed to be a strong bunch.

Forcing her attention away, she searched the room for Kat. The pretty prego was Ginny’s best friend, and she had taken Eva under her wing as assuredly as Mox’s mother had. Eva smiled. No surprise. Kat and Ginny were sitting side-by-side, their heads tilted together as if sharing some gossip or planning mischief. As if on cue, the two dissolved into fits of laughter, leaning on one another for support.

Seemingly always near his wife, Zeke looked over his shoulder and shook his head, nudging the man beside him. Eva caught her breath at the scarred visage that turned. She remembered the sinister looking man from the day they’d moved in. Deep tracks crisscrossed his rugged face like someone had wanted to erase his features forever. Eva swallowed hard. He was terrifying. She never would’ve pictured him with the easy-going Kat.

Shivering, Eva pressed closer to Mox’s back. At that moment, the man’s menacing mug twisted in an indulgent smirk, and Kat blew him a kiss which set her and Ginny to giggling again and made him and Zeke chuckle as they turned back to their conversation.

“You okay, baby?” Mox asked, his hand reaching around to stroke the curve of her hip.

“Oh, yeah,” she said with a little blush. “I was just people-watching and trying to put names, faces, and couples together.”     

“Which one?”              

“The one talking to your father.”

“That’s Crux. He’s Kat’s husband.”

“You work with him,” Eva said, remembering the name.

“Right. He’s a hell of a mechanic.”

“Thank you. Sorry.”

“No problem. You need another drink?” he asked, smiling and draining the dregs of his beer.

“I’m still nursing this one, but I’ll get you one. Rhys, do you need another beer? Can I get you anything?”

Rhys’ companion looked surprised at the offer.

“I could use a refill. I’ll go with you.”

Eva nodded and extended her hand as they headed for the bar. “Eva.”

“Tawny,” the other woman said, shaking her hand with a funny look. “You’re a little polite for this crew.”

“Sorry. I’m still figuring out the lay of the land,” Eva said, blushing.

“No problem. With the Lords, it’s probably best to error on the side of respect.”

“I get that feeling.”

“They’re a rough bunch, but most of them are good guys once you get to know them. The old ladies are a tougher nut to crack. They don’t accept new pussy too easily. They wait to see if you’re going to stick around.”

“It makes sense to not get attached if we’re not staying,” Eva said, thinking of the number of foster kids she had seen come and go at her grandparents’ dinner table.

“Word has it that the queen has taken a shine to you.”

Eva fumbled her glass a little as she set it on the bar and looked at Tawny out of the corner of her eye.

“Word has it, huh?”

“Not much happens in Trinity. Gossip involving the Lords is premium,” the woman said with a little shrug. “Especially when it whispers one of them is off the market.”

“I can’t speak about forever, but he’s mine now,” Eva said, her chin tilting up a notch.

Tawny laughed. “Keep the attitude. You’ll need it.” 

A cold draft blew across Eva’s nape and she turned, looking for its source. Rhys stood at the doors, shoulder propping one open while he talked to someone outside. Craning her neck, Eva tried for a better angle. Still unable to see, she frowned, sliding to the end of the loveseat.

“What’re you looking at?”

“Rhys is talking to someone at the door,” she mumbled, leaning over the arm. A startled squeak broke her lips as Mox smacked her upturned ass and yanked her back to his side. She looked up at him in surprise. “What was that for?”

“For being nosy,” he said, kissing her nose. “It’s probably Becca, but, either way, it doesn’t involve you.”

“Why isn’t Becca here, and what’s with Rhys and Tawny?” Eva asked, rubbing her stinging bottom into the cushion.

“You are nosy,” Mox said with a chuckle. “Zeke banned Becca from club get-togethers because she upsets Gin. Tawny’s just a bike bunny. She’s hung around the club for as long as I can remember. The closest she’s come to being a steady old lady is hooking up with Reaper for two or three months. Since Reap shacked up with Lee, Tawny’s on the prowl again.”

“You better be careful. She has a special fondness for Moxie.”

Eva’s head whipped around at the voice near her ear. Her heart thudded painfully against her ribcage as she stared into the most chilling blue eyes she had ever seen. A crazy mop of inky curls and sharp goatee only added to the demonic likeness. He winked at her.

“Thanks, Reap,” Mox murmured.

The embarrassment in Mox’s tone made Eva tear her gaze from the devil in front of her. Color tinged more than his ears. She could feel her own cheeks warming. Was Tawny an ex-girlfriend? Had the woman been laughing at her while sharing notes on club life? Had Ginny put a kibosh on the relationship like she was trying to do with Rhys and Becca? 

“No problem, Bro. You didn’t tell your little girlfriend about your sixteenth birthday?” Reaper asked with a low chuckle.

“No more than you’ve told Lee all the things you’ve done. Of course in your case, you wouldn’t want to scare her.”

The Asian beauty standing beside Reaper giggled, her lack of fear going a long way in quelling Eva’s nerves.

“Nah, my kinky chink is fearless,” Reaper said, grinning as he hauled Lee’s head back by a handful of her long, blue-black hair to give her a kiss before looking back at Mox, wicked challenge lighting his eyes.

“I’m sure Mox has dated a lot of women,” Eva said, breaking the expectant silence.

“I’m not sure dated is the right word,” Reaper said before Mox could respond.

“He’s right,” Mox admitted, shooting the grinning Reaper the middle finger. “As surprising as it may be, I’m not a big hit with the ladies. The guys convinced Tawny to break me in for my sixteenth birthday and we’ve—went out—a couple of times since.”

Reaper gave a harsh bark of laughter. Obviously embarrassed for her, Lee looked up at him imploringly. Eva couldn’t help a little giggle at the long-suffering look on the poor girl’s face.

“Lucky for you I didn’t assume you were celibate before I came along,” she said, chucking his chin. “And if you weren’t a main attraction around here, then I question the taste of the women in Trinity Falls.”

“Thanks, baby,” Mox said with a delighted grin.

“You’re welcome, but if they want you now, they’ll have to take you from me.”

“Keep flashing me those dimples, and they don’t stand a chance.”

“Which ones?” Eva asked with a wiggle.

“Preferably, both.”

“My pleasure.”

“You two are so cute,” Lee said, hiding a giggle in Reaper’s ribs.

“Sorry, Reap. You’re not cute,” Mox said seriously.

The look of disgust that twisted Reaper’s face and the exaggerated shudder made both girls laugh.

“Fuck no, I’m not cute.”

“Will you settle for sexy?” Lee asked, looking up at him, dark eyes sparkling.

“Sexy is good. Well hung is better.”

Laughing, Lee tugged on his belt buckle. “You’re more man than most women can handle.” 

“Is that something else the Lords have in common?” Eva asked, biting her lip to try and get her merriment under control.

“Every last one of us,” Mox said with a smug nod of confirmation.

Reaper saluted the boast with a raised bottle, and a slurred voice nearby rose over the bedlam.

“To the Lords of Mayhem and their big dicks!”

Eva sputtered into her drink. She met Lee’s dark eyes over the rim, and the giggling geisha tilted her margarita in acknowledgement as the crowd raised their drinks high, roaring in approval of the drunken toast.  

Tucked against Mox’s side, Eva picked her way cautiously down the sidewalk. The snow that had melted to slush in the heat of the day had refrozen, making for an uneven terrain that was treacherous in heels.

“Want a piggyback ride?”

“If I wasn’t wearing a dress, I might take you up on that, big man,” she said, giggling and clutching his arm tighter as they stepped off the curb. “Knowing my luck, we would both end up lying in the middle of the street with my skirt over my head.”

“It’d be a lot more fun if it were over my head.”

Eva nudged him playfully with her elbow, but a response died on her lips as she spotted a dark SUV rolling down the street. Her heart lodged in her throat as the vehicle slowed. Mox glanced in that direction, but carelessly continued across the street. She stumbled numbly. The headlights fell across them and she shook her head, digging in her heels. Horrific images flashed through her mind. She saw Mox’s muscular form sprawled in the street, dark bullet holes marring the crisp white of his t-shirt, his life blood seeping, pooling on the icy pavement.

He turned toward her, his forehead creasing in worry. “Are you okay?”

The sinister vehicle was almost on top of them. Its brake lights cast a red glow as it slowed further. She shook her head furiously, trying to force the words past her tongue as she tugged on his arm. The soft buzz of a power window sounded over the idling engine. A scream caught in the back of her throat, and she felt her knees start to buckle.

“Are you two going to make it?”

Mox caught her before she could fall. He swept her into his arms, even as he turned to answer the slender redhead behind the wheel.

“Stilettos and winter weather don’t mesh, but I got her.”

A hulking form leaned forward in the Suburban’s passenger seat, and Eva recognized the Lord’s vice president in the dim light. Encircling Mox’s neck with her arms, she hid her face from the curious stares. Her heart pounded loud in her ears. She only caught the word vanity in the low rumble of Bowie’s baritone, but his wife laughed.

“Say what you will about heels, but you appreciate the shake they put in a lady’s backside and don’t mind them spurring your big ass on,” Amber said with a saucy purr.

“No argument here. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll reward her loyal steed,” Mox said, pawing the ground with his boot and offering a frisky whinny before calling his goodnights and crossing in front of the headlights.

He didn’t say another word until he set her on her feet in their apartment.

“You want to tell me what that was about?”

Eva pushed into his arms, resting her forehead against his chest. Closing her eyes, she could still see the ragged bullet holes. She kissed the soft cotton and took a deep breath. He had asked for honesty and she owed him at least that much.

“I saw the black SUV rolling up on us, and I thought it was Rocco and his goons.”

His arms wrapped around her and he squeezed her tight. The dam broke on her fears, and she soaked the front of his shirt while he stroked her back, swaying softly. When she could breathe again, she pushed back from him and wiped at her face. She could only imagine the mess she had made of her makeup.

His big hands cupped her face and tilted it up to his.

“You’re mine, and I’m going to keep you safe.”

“I’m sorry. I saw the SUV and…”Her voice cracked and she shook her head helplessly as more tears fell.

“You should’ve said something. I knew it was Amber’s Suburban. I saw it parked on the street when we came out of the alley.”

“I panicked. I was trying to tell you, but I couldn’t breathe, let alone talk. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ll know from now on, but you have to learn to trust me. I will protect you. Do you believe that?”

Eva nodded, tilting her head to kiss his palm. She believed that Mox would do everything in his power to protect her. She also believed that if he found her, Rocco would kill him.